Has anyone noticed that windows 8.1 became strainy lately? On the same used setup for many years with no updated drivers.
Windows 8.1 strange/strainy lately
Alyosha2001 It would be hard to say, since windows 8 is kind of old. Would you be able to share the last windows updates that where installed in your system?
I seem to be having a problem with chrome lately, so it might be worth a try to go back a few versions of chrome to see if it that makes a difference.
Seems the latest updates are from July the 12th. I use Firefox, so maybe that could be the culprit…
Just in case you don't know already, Firefox offers an ESR version (Extended Support Release), so it's easy to go back to version 102, but still get all the important security patches. It's actually possible to have both the normal version and ESR installed side by side which is great if you want to troubleshoot if the browser is indeed the cause of problems.
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Deepdeep I too have had issues with Chrome recently. I accidentally updated it and haven't been able to return to the older version I was comfortable with. In fact, after uninstalling, Google Update was gone so I couldn't disable updates in Services. Installed the old version, as soon as I connected to the internet the old version upgraded to the most recent one.
Garman I am testing Opera now, but I'd like to try this Firefox product you mentioned!
By the way, do you mean that security patches and browser version are somehow independent, so one can use an older browser and still be up to date in terms of security? Does this hold true for the OS as well, e.g., I can use Windows 10 version 21H2 and still have all the security patches of version 22H2? Because then I may put a request to my IT admin…
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Yes, in case of Firefox ESR you understood that correctly. I think the ESR version allows you to stay at a feature version for up to one year, yet still receive regular security updates during that time:
"Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) is an official version of Firefox developed for large organizations like universities and businesses that need to set up and maintain Firefox on a large scale. Firefox ESR does not come with the latest features but it has the latest security and stability fixes."*
I am not sure if other browsers like Opera offer a similar version, you would have to check that.
And indeed there is something similar for Windows, it's called the LTSC Enterprise channel, and the 2021 version correspondends to 21H2 if I am not mistaken:
"It is a stripped-down enterprise operating system based on a specific version of Windows 10. Windows 10 LTSC don't have pre-installed apps such as Microsoft Edge, Cortana assistant, News, etc. Using the LTSC service model, you can delay receiving feature updates and only receive monthly device quality updates."
You would have to see if this version meets your requirements, but I think theoretically you could stay at a Windows LTSC version for up to 5 years and only receive security patches during that time. This could be an option if you suspect a recent large Windows feature update made a working system unusable for you and you would like to return to an earlier version.
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AGI
Steps to install older chrome:
- turn off your network connection
- install an offline version of chrome
- disable chrome update services
- turn on your network connection
Firefox ESR is only updated once a year(only receives monthly security patches).
Windows 10 Enterprise 21H2 is supported untill June 11, 2024 then you'll be forced to update.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 (21H2) is supported untill Jan 12, 2027.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (21H2) is supported untill Jan 13, 2032.
Maybe ask your IT admin to change your OS to LTSC.
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Garman Many thanks, I didn't know about ESR! Seems to be much better!! Very very usefull
Staycalmsyndrome disable chrome update services
Thanks but Google Update has disappeared after uninstalling Chrome.
As soon as I get online, the old version of Chrome upgrades to the most recent version.
Garman Firefox ESR does not come with the latest features but it has the latest security and stability fixes.
Thanks. My eyes are really in a bad shape. I have had Windows 10 updates forced thru and I have been exposed for hours to horrible LED lighting these last days so it is hard to tell what is what, but Opera does not look viable. I am keen on trying Firefox ESR.
Garman Using the LTSC service model, you can delay receiving feature updates and only receive monthly device quality updates.
Thanks for this tip as well. Are you sure though, that quality updates do not affect image rendering? KB5015684 changes my Windows 10 version to 22H2 making the system unusable. This update seems to belong to the category of Quality Updates.
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AGI Open task scheduler. Try disabling Google update tasks before opening the browser.
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AGI Thanks for this tip as well. Are you sure though, that quality updates do not affect image rendering? KB5015684 changes my Windows 10 version to 22H2 making the system unusable. This update seems to belong to the category of Quality Updates.
No, of course not, there is no way for me to know what Microsoft considers a quality upgrade for LTSC versions in the future and how/if different OS changes will affect people's eyestrain.
However, in my understanding the whole point of an LTSC is that your Windows version number stays the same, so if you are on Windows 10 21H1 LTSC, you should not get any updates that will change your Windows version to 22H2.
In general, I am just pointing out possible options - if they might be viable in your situation is something only you can decide. I feel possible software alternatives are the easiest options to try though. It's probably a lot more feasible for many users to download an LTSC Windows version, install it on an old hard drive and see if it helps with the eyestrain, as opposed to a larger investment like ordering new hardware such as a Sun Vision display.
Staycalmsyndrome Thanks. I did not know about the scheduler. Neither here I can find signs of Google Update, though. But I got why Adobe Acrobat Reader and Office among other software keep updating. It looks like Firefox ESR, which I just installed, will look for updates too every day. Is it something that you recommend doing or would you disable the task? If I understood, only security patches will be installed on the ESR version. Thanks.
Garman In general, I am just pointing out possible options - if they might be viable in your situation is something only you can decide.
No worries, I understand. Thanks for the tip in any case! I will evaluate what to do (it is a business laptop so I have limited room for action).
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AGI Hmm.. Have you tried renaming the update folder? It's located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Google. Try uninstalling Chrome completely before installing the old version(have to manually delete some folders).
Security patches for Firefox ESR won't affect rendering untill it jumps to the next iteration(september). In Windows, i find feature updates(ex: 22H2) to change rendering and also .NET framework updates.
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Staycalmsyndrome Thanks. That's what I did, fully uninstalled Chrome and deleted some folders manually as per a protocol I had found online. One doubt is that, afterwards, I may have installed the old Chrome version using the incorrect executable, like, I read somewhere that I needed the full installer and not the downloader, but I wasn't sure about the difference. Maybe I did a sorta partial (re-)install?
One thing that I'm considering is reversing all recent updates on my laptop - from Chrome to OS - using a restore point I had created. Have you ever done it? This would be without authorization by my IT admin, and I have some concerns I may fuxk up my laptop... What a stress!
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AGI I see. An online installer(1-2 MB in size) always downloads and installs the latest setup package. Offline installers can be found here(70-100MB in size). Download the version that you had but disable internet connection before you install and disable update services/tasks because it opens the browser automatically after it's done and triggers autoupdate. If update services don't appear, the installation got corrupted somehow and you just have to rename the update folder.
Using a restore point returns software, registry, and driver configuration at a specific point. If you made one before uninstalling chrome, it should return it to normal. I use it to revert drivers and never had problems with it.
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Staycalmsyndrome You can find older offline installers here.
I will check this out, many thanks!
EDIT: That is what I had used, ca. 100 MB size...
I did a system restore. It was not fully successful. I am still checking what the damages are (as of now, Skype is not booting). A "Google" folder has shown up in Program Files (x86), but there are still no Google Update folder and Google-related services. Chrome is not installed so I must have created the restore point after its uninstall?
Unfortunately, although I had expanded the space allocated for system restore points to 10% of the HDD (95 GB), I could not load older restore points than the one I used. Not sure why they got deleted as there is plenty of space.
I will keep investigating. Thanks for now!
@Staycalmsyndrome Sorry for the soap opera - I had to undo the system restore because a few things got screwed up. I still got an error that the undo did not complete successfully, but at least Skype and OneDrive work now. Meanwhile I found a Google folder in C:\Users\xxx\AppData\Local\Google. Inside there is an empty GoogleUpdater folder. There is also a Chrome\User Data folder with heaps of sub-folders. I reckon it is there that Firefox and Opera imported all the Chrome bookmarks and passwords from, when Chrome was already uninstalled.
Do I have to eliminate all this stuff in AppData as well before reinstalling Chrome? Thanks!
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AGI The problem might lie in the registry settings. Use Revo uninstaller pro in trial mode which will delete all of Chrome's registry entries and directories. Or use a registry cleaner like Ccleaner.
Why don't you just use Firefox ESR instead of Chrome?
It's not the browser. Stop and take a break. Do a clean install, there is no point trying to reverse updates and the bios both at the same time. Plan things out properly.
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AGI sorry to hear that you haven't managed a fix yet and hope you find one soon. Meanwhile, it might help to try using sunglasses coz in my experience they can reduce the strain on some devices, and sometimes quite significantly. I wear the sunglasses over my prescription glasses, btw.
4 days later
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Deepdeep I am considering trying Avulux glasses. Theraspecs ones didn't make a difference. I'm a bit tired of throwing money away, though.
I'm skeptic I'll find a solution as I have limited control of my laptop. I'd need to ask my IT admin for a clean install of Windows, and then the OS version will be 22H2 which I'm not confident I can adjust to.
Back to Firefox ESR for just a question: pop-ups for update appear; is it safe to update (strain-wise) or should I just keep dismissing them?
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It's fine. ESR updates are just security fixes. Next version bump isn't till Sep or Oct.
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Sunspark Aha, I see, thanks a lot!
a year later
Firefox ESR updaed today to 115.5 and it became strainy. I had to uninstall and reinstall 115.4 and disable updates; so, beware!
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FF 130 seems ok on my Linux device so you should try jumping all the way to the front (if you care about updating, I don't, I haven't bothered on my Windows machine).
You can set it up as a parallel installation to a different folder and point it at your profile folder (or just have a separate profile for it).
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For me whenever this happens with my 8.1 laptop I restore to a restore point I created before I installed Chrome, and it consistently fixes it for me. Firefox doesn't seem to affect it (however I am using an older version of Firefox ESR and freezed updates to it many months ago)
BTW, on some Win 8.1 laptops by Lenovo, there's a weird quirk that causes the screen to feel more unstable when anything is plugged into any port, no matter if it's power, a USB wifi adapter, an Ethernet adapter, mouse, etc.
However, this is a very unique issue that I really haven't seen on any other laptop, on other devices I own the ports don't affect strain at all. Probably is due to poor isolation of components inside of the laptop or something like that.
So due to that, I'm also only able to get the best screen output on my Win 8.1 Lenovo by only using the on-board WiFi + Bluetooth mouse + nothing connected to ports at all + I don't use it while it's charging unless I really need to.
(i.e. an Ethernet cable and a USB mouse actually causes more strain on my Lenovo because those require using the ports)
DisplaysShouldNotBeTVs BTW, on some Win 8.1 laptops by Lenovo, there's a weird quirk that causes the screen to feel more unstable when anything is plugged into any port, no matter if it's power, a USB wifi adapter, an Ethernet adapter, mouse, etc.
If it's consistent across OS's and etc I would guess either EMI or some sort of "brownout" condition
Sunspark FF 130 does not install on 8.1, the latest ESR that I could install is 115.9.1. I would like to stay on 115.3.1 which is without issues, but youtube clips keep freezing on it.
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8 days later
Alyosha2001 Today, I decided to experiment a bit with FF. I have been on ESR v102 for ages, but created 2 new profiles and installed ESR v128 and Release v130 to separate folders and added the needed shortcut calls to use separate profiles since I am testing and wanted to see how they are.
v130 looks subtly better than v128, so I think you should watch this video and make it so that v130 will launch on your 8.1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szoNZNBnP_g
5 months later
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Sunspark Thank you, the latest versions of 135 do not work, as they require API-ms-win-core-version-l1-1-1.dll, but now I can use 130 and 128 latest ESR.
The thing is that anything later than 115.3.1 gives me dizziness on an otherwise all day usable system. I have also tried Tor, Brave, Chrome, Opera, Plasmafox, they are all strainy. On top of that, yesterday I got a message telling me that my current firefox certificate will expire very soon and I will not be able to browse web, play videos, etc.
I searched full changelog of 115.4, but found only this "Various security fixes and other quality improvements.".
Any suggestions or guides on how to pinpoint the culprit and, maybe compile future versions without it? I guess that would maybe apply to other different programs that are just as bad.
Sunspark Thanks a lot!